Proposed CAFE Rules No Substitute for Comprehensive Climate Change Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Bush administration today proposed new regulations to strengthen fuel efficiency standards under the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act, putting U.S. cars and light trucks on track toward meeting the bill 35 mpg target for 2020.    

Today’s proposed corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations represent only one step toward a national policy to protect the climate and ensure lasting energy security.

“Only a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions will reverse the growth in global warming pollution, spur innovative solutions and and address America’s still rising dependence on fossil fuel,” said John DeCicco, senior fellow for automotive strategies at Environmental Defense Fund.

Most scientists say the U.S. needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 80 percent by the middle of the century to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Legislation set for a vote in the Senate in early June, the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act (S. 2191), would put the country on that path by capping and reducing emissions across the economy.

“What’s missing is a comprehensive solution that will unleash innovation and require other parties — such as the petroleum industry — to contribute a fair share of emissions reductions, both in the transportation sector and across the economy. Today’s proposal, though progress against the past, would not even return global warming pollution to current levels,” DeCicco said.

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About Environmental Defense Fund

A leading national nonprofit organization, Environmental Defense Fund represents more than 500,000 members. Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund has linked science, economics, law and innovative private-sector partnerships to create breakthrough solutions to the most serious environmental problems. For more information, visit www.edf.org